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(Here’s a narrative overview I recently created for a game dev client – can’t announce the developer or project specifics yet, but I’m definitely happy with the relationship and the results!)

SYNOPSIS

You and a host of powerful beings were charged with creating Life on a pristine world. But something went wrong. Through negligence and arrogance, your creations quickly evolved into a terrifying demon horde, threatening to scour the fragile Eden. Outraged, your Master decides to wipe the slate clean, and imprison you (his Architects) and the abominations deep underground. Now, you must harness your divine energy and scattered technologies to destroy your tainted creations, awaken your fallen Brethren, and escape the prison…or remain trapped in darkness forever!

—

You were the First.

A being of pure Will, infused with unfathomable power, and charged with a sacred Mission. But you were the first of many. A legion of beings would soon join you in this new realm. Together, you would craft incredible technologies, and harness near-limitless energies to engineer the primordial sparks of Life. And as lightning and otherworldly fire filled the skies, and the first creatures twitched and stirred beneath swirling dark waters, you could feel the growing pride of the One that had set these events in motion. And it was Good.

But it would not endure.

As time passed, and the web of Life on this young world grew infinitely more complex, a division began to form within the ranks of your Brethren. The sheer scope of the plan and the energies at your disposal tainted the weaker amongst you. Some went mad with the weight of responsibility. Some even whispered of rebellion. But the greatest flaw was harbored in the hearts of those who fell prey to the lure of Ambition. Fueled by newfound arrogance, these Architects used their powers to veer the course Life far from the intended design – one of harmony and symbiotic balance – and down a path both twisted and profane. That was when the monsters rose from the mire. When onyx-horned and cloven-hoofed things clawed their way from molten cracks in the world’s womb. When creatures of unspeakable horror howled at the sky with blood-soaked teeth and mindless hate. And that was when you understood what must happen next, for the grand design had been defiled.

You had failed in your sacred Mission. The punishment was swift.

With thunder and fury, the One shook the foundations of the world. The oceans drained into bottomless rifts, and towering mountains crumbled to dust. Through a veil of fire, the earth yawned open, and swallowed beast and Brethren alike in jaws of stone. And there you would remain…for eons. Trapped in a forgotten chasm beneath the earth, and shackled by otherworldly machines of your own making. Abandoned in the dark, with nothing but the shrieking demonic hordes, and the cries of your fallen brothers. Everything had been taken from you…save for your Essence.

And that is the key to your salvation.

Though disembodied, you are still an Architect. Through sheer force of will, your prison matrix shall become your liberation, as the technologies transform into the armor and weaponry you’ll use to break free and destroy the abominations. And as you battle through countless chambers beneath the earth, you are sure to find your fallen Brethren – imprisoned, as you were. Free them, and you’ll become infused with their essence, as well as the unique tools and gifts that they possess. Call upon them in a moment of despair, and divine Might shall rain down upon your foes!

You will taste defeat – it is inevitable – but each time you fall, you will retain the knowledge of your prison, your foes, and the arcane powers you have acquired. Thus armed, you embark again on a desperate quest for freedom and redemption. You were the First. Now you are the Last. This is your only Mission…

These days, those ‘in the know’ say that it’s all about establishing your personal brand. That potential partners and collaborators and clients need to know who you are, what you do, and where you stand professionally. And this ‘you-ness’ needs to be infused in everything you touch: your website, logos and imagery, promo materials, and especially your work.

And, as you can see from the shot above (and my url), I’m down with that*. There’s nothing wrong with a little self-pimping, as long as it’s aligned with the spirit of one’s services and skills. At the same time, I also believe that it’s okay to blur the lines between business and personality – hence ‘personal brand’. By exposing different facets of yourself, you improve the chance of connecting on more (and perhaps deeper) levels with potential partners. Which can only lead to a more satisfying relationship long-term, with fewer creative clashes and unpleasant surprises in the cards.

That’s why I’m not exactly shy with the social media presence. Do I compartmentalize? Absolutely. But it’s not like the Facebook timeline is hidden (even if I do go on regular extended ‘hiatuses’). And Twitter‘s out there for everyone to see, where I showcase my love of weird film/TV, mixed martial arts, and naughty comedians with wild abandon. Which ties into a not-so-secret Tumblr feed, chock full of candid pics, short stories, and the occasional NSFW animated GIF. And that page has been known to feature late-night ‘confessionals’ and small video experiments from my YouTube channel.

We all have so many sides to ourselves. Combined, these tell our story. And just like the transmedia principles I work with, I believe that the more we’re willing to share of ourselves – the more facets we cut, polish, and shed light upon – the more we’re able to shine.

Following in the footsteps of the Conscious Parenting movement – and tapping into the life-changing principles touted by celebrated author ECKHART TOLLE–The Conscious Parenting Guide will be a groundbreaking ‘lifestyle application’ that harnesses the unique tablet interface to foster personal and situational awareness for families. Our platform will use these unique interactive experiences to drill to the core of consciousness; across a broad spectrum of ‘gamified exercises’, users will focus on breath control, listening skills, and expanded ‘body awareness’ to navigate group and individual challenges. Over the course of the program, they will share their experiences, journal personal progress, and be encouraged to download new exercises and reference material to further their growth. Like any muscle or skill, we firmly believe such engagement over time will yield strength and proficiency – in effect, a deeper understanding of themselves, each other, and powerful tools to cope with emotions, stress, and personal conflict.